Illegal parking outside schools is the next target on Witham police's zero tolerance hit list.

Inspector Alan Cotgrove, the town's police chief, said that after a successful zero tolerance crackdown on parking in the town in March, the blitz would be extended.

This time selfish or dangerous parking outside Witham's schools will be targeted in May.

Insp Cotgrove described the hard line initiative as "grabbing the problem by the horns" and added that as from May 1, illegal parking around schools would be targeted.

During the first crackdown last month, which concentrated on cars left illegally or dangerously parked, such as on double yellow lines or obstructing footpaths and junctions, police issued 115 fixed penalty tickets and 86 warnings.

Insp Cotgrove said he was pleased with the results.

"I was extremely happy with the results and now there has been significant improvement in the town."

He added: "The comments we have had from residents have been very positive as well."

Only four of those given penalties have appealed against the fines and they have been residents parking outside their homes.

Published Thursday, April 10, 2003

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